Melasma
Melasma comes from the Greek word “melas” which means black. It is a benign skin condition that affects several million people worldwide.
What is melasma?
This condition appears as irregularly shaped brown or hazelnut spots, concentrated mainly on the cheekbones, forehead and upper lip, but can also appear on the neckline and ears.
The hyper pigmentation of the skin particularly affects women between the ages of 30 and 40 and appears especially when using estrogens such as the hormonal contraceptive pill or in the case of hormonal changes and pregnancy (this is precisely why melasma is also called pregnancy mask).
What medical treatment can I consider?
Anti-spot creams alone can significantly improve pigmentary imperfections. These are lightening creams based on formulas rich in depigmenting agents (hydroquinone) and corrective exfoliating agents (fruit acid) to even out the complexion and improve its radiance with an overall anti-aging action.
There are several possible treatments for melasma, our dermatologist will be able to answer your various questions on the subject.
Laser
Pigment laser to treat melasma
For a well-defined targeted area (under the eyes, upper lip), the pigment laser can be used with caution. However, the risk of repigmentation directly after the laser is high. This is why it is imperative to perform a depigmenting treatment before and after the laser.
To know more about laser treatment
Peeling
Peeling to treat melasma
For a larger area, peels are the treatment of choice. Maison Tóā has chosen the world’s number one peel for the treatment of melasma: Dermamelan. It is a treatment performed over a period of 3 months during the winter period. It can erase up to 90% of severe melasma. There is an overall improvement in skin tone and texture.
The first medical consultation to treat melasma is covered by basic insurance. It takes place in our specialized clinic in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Learn more about Microneedling
Microneedling
Microneedling for the treatment of scars
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a pen containing microneedles to make microperforations in the different layers of the dermis. The micro perforations will then let penetrate active principles regenerating the epidermis, while stimulating the formation of its collagen. This treatment aims to improve the quality of the skin and the overall complexion by smoothing out irregularities such as acne scars.
Read more about this treatment
Follow-up
Whether your doctor chooses to use a laser or a peel, the aftermath of treatment is the same:
Immediate post-treatment redness will be present for 24 hours, then the spots will become a little darker and small scabs will form and disappear within a few days to two weeks. Sun exposure is contraindicated after each treatment for a period of 4 weeks. Although exceptional, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, most often transient, may be present after treatment.
Recommendation
Although you do not expose yourself directly to the sun, the application of a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF50+ is recommended for the 4 weeks following the treatment.
In spite of an adequate sunscreen, some UV rays will pass through and generate those famous free radicals responsible for most of the skin aging and the localized deposit of pigments under the skin. For this reason, Maison Tóā will suggest you to combine the application of your sun cream with an antioxidant serum especially against spots.
Antioxidants are molecules that will oxidize in contact with free radicals to make them harmless and therefore protect our cells against them. Most antioxidant serums on the cosmetic market are complexes of the most effective antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, ferulic acid, idebenone…). Once again, the choice of serum will depend on your skin type.
Intervention
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Objective
Reduction of brown spots
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Technique
Cream – Laser – Peeling
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Price
1st medical consultation reimbursed by the basic insurance
– Microneedling : from Fr. 300.00
– CO2 laser from Fr. 500.00
– Peeling : Fr. 250.00 -
Result
Brightened skin and unified complexion